China's manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in February stood at 51.6 percent, higher than the expected 51.1 percent.
The figure, 0.3 percent up from 51.3 percent in January, is the seventh month in a row with a reading above 50, official data showed on Wednesday, which indicates that the country's manufacturing activity has continued to expand for a seventh month.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction.
